The most probable winner of future Greek elections would be New Democracy, which held power from 2004 until 2009, when Greece's debt soared from slightly more than 100 percent of its gross domestic product to at least 127 percent.
Crude oil prices eased slightly after soaring to new highs past $66 per barrel on Friday.
And even as more students are taking and passing the tests -- given in fourth and eighth grades and in high school -- dropout rates, which many predicted would soar, have declined slightly.
All her features competed for attention: the soaring cheekbones, the Brahmin nose slightly upturned, the mouth famously downturned even when smiling.
Silver prices are slightly weaker, but platinum is also soaring, quoted at over $1659 an ounce, up more than 30 cents.
Still, Mr. Abe's comments initially galvanized markets, sending the Nikkei soaring by almost 500 points since Thursday, falling back slightly Tuesday.
Leslie Fagan was more adventurous in her embellishments and took a few risks as well, soaring fleetingly into an upper range where she was slightly underpowered.
Much of the dialogue is set in lyrically inflected, slightly bluesy recitative, though the voices at times break into soaring flights.
Food and beverage prices, which soared last year, have decelerated slightly in 2008.
The BBC National Chorus of Wales, a slightly growling bass moment aside, was exemplary, the final climactic, sublime soaring effortlessly achieved.
